John 5:25

“Honestly, a time will come, in fact it is now here, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God calling them.  Those that hear it will live.”  John 5:25 EFP

Is this a reference to a future event when Jesus will raise people from the dead?  Is it one of those texts that speaks of future events set in motion by the presence of Jesus on the earth?  What do you hear when you reduce this text to its simplest possible meaning?

It’s not…or then.  What Jesus states here takes place at that moment. Jesus’ words are life; this is nothing new to those of us who have spent time in this book before.  They are life-giving words to those who hear.  That man laying prone on the ground is dead in many ways.  Physically he is alive, but minimally, with little hope of change.  He is mentally exhausted and spiritually spent after years of a steady wasting away of all that is precious to him.

Suddenly, the man hears the voice of the Healer, and now he is alive.  He is walking and jumping and living again.  That reality begins that day for that man, but the promise to us remains in force today and every day, because God never ceases to labor.  He is the Prime Mover on my behalf.  He wastes no opportunity.  He spares no expense.  He empties the heavenly coffers to give me life to me.  He speaks to me today.  If I hear him through the pathetic and miserable chatter of the world around me, I will live. Yes!